After claiming the green jersey at the U23 Giro d’Italia, Nicholas Dlamini began the season by winning the polka dot jersey at the 2018Tour Down Under that just took place in Australia.

Nicholas Dlamini’s excellent approach to the 2018 Tour Down Under continues. The 22-year-old Dimension Data rider also came first in the only KOM race of the third stage, continuing to lead the best climber standings with 36 points, precisely double those of the Australian Scott Bowden (UniSA Australia). On the attack for the third day running, young Dlamini tomorrow will have to give way in the next stage and on Willunga Hill in order to work alongside the captain, Tom-Jelte Slagter.

“We followed the plan, as in the other stages. The KOM was once again shortly after the start and Nic went on the attack to get more points – says the DS Alex Sans Vega. After the climb, he raced a little ahead because the wind was favourable, so that he didn’t waste any more energy. Only when the group accelerated for the time bonuses, the advantage diminished very quickly and Nic was caught up. In the end, the arrival was complicated and we were lucky that Tom (Slagter), Ben (O’Connor) and Lachlan (Morton) did not lose any ground."